A BRIEF GUIDE TO
KEY STAGE 3 (YEARS 7 - 9)
SENIOR
SCHOOL
Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 3
Art & Design ............................................................................................................................................... 6
Chinese as a Foreign Language................................................................................................................ 7
Chinese as a Second Language ................................................................................................................ 8
Heritage Chinese ........................................................................................................................................ 9
Design and Technology........................................................................................................................... 10
Drama ........................................................................................................................................................ 11
English ....................................................................................................................................................... 12
Humanities................................................................................................................................................ 13
Computer Science .................................................................................................................................... 14
Mathematics .............................................................................................................................................. 16
Music.......................................................................................................................................................... 17
Physical Education ................................................................................................................................... 18
Science........................................................................................................................................................ 19
European Languages ............................................................................................................................... 20
English as an Additional Language ...................................................................................................... 21
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Introduction
What is important about Key Stage 3?
Key Stage 3 is the first Key Stage of the Senior School and spans Years 7 to 9. This Key
Stage covers the transition from the more structured environment of the Junior School
and prepares students for the more independent study required for (I)GCSE courses in
Years 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4).
What will students learn during Key Stage 3?
All students follow a broad and balanced curriculum both to create a love of learning
and to enable them to make informed choices about the subjects they wish to study
during Key Stage 4 and beyond. All students study all the subjects outlined in this
guide. These are the subjects of the National Curriculum of England. The aims of the
National Curriculum are to enable all young people to become
• successful learners who enjoy learning, make progress and achieve
• confident individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives
• responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society
The National Curriculum provides a very effective and helpful scheme of assessment.
How are students assessed during Key Stage 3?
The National Curriculum refers to levels of achievement, from level 1-8, with a further
level for Exceptional Performance. These levels are consistent between Years 7 and 9,
and allow students to progress through the levels during their time in Key Stage 3. The
levels translate directly to skills in each subject area. Descriptions of the levels and skills
are widely available on display in classrooms, in assessment feedback, on Studywiz,
and on the school website. We have used student friendly language to describe the
skills so that they are as accessible as possible. This allows students to see exactly what
skills they have acquired and helps them identify what they need to do to move up a
level. To make this process as accurate as possible, each level has a sublevel; a three
stage progression through each level, from A to C. Parents and students can consult the
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level table, just as teachers and students have done in class, to see the skills that have
been mastered.
A fundamental reason we use National Curriculum levels is that they focus on student
learning against an established set of criteria. If you are transferring to or from another
English National Curriculum school, either internationally or in the UK, continuity in
learning is much easier, as we use the same standards and have similar expectations.
How is learning enriched during Key Stage 3?
The National Curriculum provides an excellent framework within which to plan and
deliver a vibrant curriculum. We seek to enrich this further, and technology is one of
the primary ways we do this. Use of computers is integrated into everyday learning to
expose students to, and familiarise them with, a wide variety of tools, media and
resources to enhance learning. Students in Year 8 and above are required to bring a
laptop computer to school, while students in Year 7 have access to Apple MacBooks.
Our online learning platform, Studywiz, extends this even further. Students use their
own login to access a variety of additional learning opportunities that are both creative
and collaborative. There is a well-resourced media centre that is accessible to students
throughout the day.
What is the role of homework in the curriculum?
Homework is an integral part of student learning. It enables students to consolidate,
practise and develop the skills they have learnt in class, and prepare for subsequent
lessons. Students follow a homework timetable that is specific to their class. The amount
of time they spend on homework increases as students progress through the Key Stage.
How can I be involved in my child’s learning?
Formal reports of student progress are made to parents in three main ways: through
progress reports, Form Tutor meetings, and at parent evenings. Each of these provides
detailed information about your child’s progress. Every student is placed in a form
group, and the Form Tutor is the first point of contact in the crucial partnership
between student, school and home. Subject teachers can be reached by email or
appointment. There will be presentations on various themes over the course of the year.
You can also be involved in your child’s learning by talking about their homework,
looking at their classwork in their books and on Studywiz, and in celebrating the merits
they achieve across the curriculum.
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Art & Design
What is Art & Design? Why is it important?
The study of Art and Design offers students the opportunity to develop their creative
skills and effectively encourages the communication of ideas and opinions. Art touches
us every day, even if we are not consciously aware of it. Every aspect of our world
involves Art and Design from the clothes we wear and the chairs we sit in to the
cinema, theatre or gallery we visit. The work of creative, imaginative people enriches
our lives.
What skills do we teach?
In Art and Design, students explore visual, tactile and other sensory experiences to
communicate ideas and meanings. They work with traditional and new media,
developing confidence, competence, imagination and creativity. They learn to
appreciate and value images and artefacts across times and cultures, and to understand
the context in which they were made. Students develop practical, critical and evaluative
skills through projects that give them the opportunity to work individually and in
groups, on both small and large scale work. The aim is that through skills based
projects, students are given increasing amounts of choice, freedom and responsibility to
develop their own creative potential throughout the Key Stage.
What topics will we cover?
Projects involving drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, textiles,
jewellery, fashion, photography, ICT and new media are covered through the current
KS3 schemes of work. Topics of study change each year, but include looking at both
historical and contemporary artists and their art practices for inspiration. A range of
activities that explore the use of line, tone, shape, colour, texture, form, and structure
will be included and a variety of experiences will be offered, working from direct
observation, imagination and more abstract concepts and stimuli such as music.
What happens in Art & Design at Key Stage 4?
Art and Design is an optional subject at Key Stage 4. GCSE students develop skills
through working with a wide range of materials and across different Art disciplines.
Students can specialise in any discipline or opt for a combination of at least two. Their
knowledge and understanding of Art and Design will be developed through research
into the work of other artists.
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Chinese as a Foreign Language
What is Chinese as a foreign language? Why is it important?
Many international students will learn Chinese as a foreign language as a crucial way of
exploring the fascinating culture of their host country. Languages are part of the
cultural richness of our society and the world in which we live and work. Learning
languages contributes to mutual understanding, a sense of global citizenship and
personal fulfillment. The ability to understand and communicate in another language is
a lifelong skill for education, employment and leisure. As the global influence of China
grows even greater, an ability to communicate in Chinese will be increasingly
important.
What skills do we teach?
In Chinese we teach students to develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing
skills, using both pinyin and simplified characters. Students learn to express themselves
with increasing confidence, independence and creativity both orally and in writing. As
an international school with students coming from many different linguistic
backgrounds, we explore the similarities and differences between Chinese, the students’
native languages and English.
What topics will we cover?
The Chinese course teaches vocabulary, grammar and language learning skills via the
following topics: numbers, greetings and personal introductions, family, time and daily
routine, home and family, colours, clothing, parts of body, countries, languages,
subjects, weather, seasons and sickness, making phone calls, hobbies (music, sports,
dance and meals), asking directions, shopping, health and fitness, eating out, travelling,
accidents.
What happens in Chinese as a foreign language at Key Stage 4?
Chinese is an optional subject at Key Stage 4 but all students are expected to take at
least one language subject in addition to English. IGCSE and GCSE Foreign Language
Chinese are both offered as part of the range of Chinese language options available.
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Chinese as a Second Language
What is Chinese as a Second Language? Why is it important?
This is available for near-native students, and for whom the Chinese as a foreign
language and first language Chinese courses are therefore not appropriate.
What skills do we teach?
In Chinese we teach students to develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing
skills, using both pinyin and simplified characters. Students learn to express themselves
with increasing confidence, independence and creativity both orally and in writing.
What topics will we cover?
In studying Chinese, students develop skills in speaking, listening and understanding,
reading and writing that they will need to participate in society. Students learn to
become enthusiastic and confident users of Chinese. The Chinese course also teaches
vocabulary, grammar and language learning skills via the following topics: education
and career, peer relationships, family relationships, health and fitness, leisure activity,
communication and technology, environment, geographical surroundings, life at home
and in other countries.
What happens in Chinese as a Second Language at Key Stage 4?
Chinese is an optional subject at Key Stage 4 but all students are expected to take at
least one language subject in addition to English. IGCSE Chinese as a Second Language
is available and would be the most likely choice for students who have done Chinese as
a Second Language at Key Stage 3.
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Heritage Chinese
What is Heritage Chinese? Why is it important?
This is available for students whose first language is Chinese, and for whom the
Chinese as a foreign language course is therefore not appropriate.
What skills do we teach?
In studying Chinese, students develop skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing
that they will need to participate in society and employment. Students learn to become
enthusiastic and critical readers of stories, poetry, novels and plays as well as nonfiction and media texts, gaining access to the pleasure and world of knowledge that
reading offers. Looking at the patterns, structures, origins and conventions of Chinese
helps students understand how language works.
What topics will we cover?
In Year 7 students take part in debates and prepare presentations. They learn to write
creatively and imaginatively for different purposes, such as diary entries and letters.
Year 8 students continue to develop their skills of comprehension, analysis and
summary writing. Students continue to work on enriching their vocabulary, and to
develop their oral and written expression. In Year 9 study focuses on verbal and nonverbal communication, classifying sentences, and the organisation and structure of
texts.
What happens in Heritage Chinese at Key Stage 4?
Chinese is an optional subject at Key Stage 4 but all students are expected to take at
least one language subject in addition to English. IGCSE First Language Chinese and
Second Language Chinese are two of the range of Chinese Language options available.
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Design and Technology
What is Design and Technology? Why is it important?
In Design and Technology, students combine practical and technical skills with creative
thinking in order to design and make products and systems that meet human needs.
Students learn to use current technologies and consider the impact of future
technological developments and issues related to sustainability. They learn to think
creatively and intervene to improve quality of life, arriving at suitable solutions to
design opportunities.
What skills do we teach?
Working in stimulating contexts, students respond with ideas, products and systems
and challenge expectations where appropriate. They combine practical skills and
theoretical knowledge with an understanding of aesthetic, technical, cultural, economic,
industrial and environmental issues. Students develop confidence in applying practical
skills while becoming discriminating users of products. They take pride in their work
and they apply their creative thinking and innovative ideas when making products
with an emphasis on precision and quality.
What topics will we cover?
Students will use the design cycle to research, design, plan, make and evaluate products
across a wide range of contexts. Year 7 students develop practical skills in working with
resistant materials through the design and making of a timber box, then they are
introduced to advanced manufacturing technologies, including computer aided design
(CAD), laser cutting of plastics and 3-D printing. Year 8 students will design and make
a personal desk lamp, and a vinyl decal that is appropriate for volume production. They
will also experience resistance welding, and will learn about solar-efficient architecture.
Year 9 students will cast molten pewter into forms that are influenced by their study of
past design movements and they will hone their more advanced practical skills in the
making of an articulated hydraulic arm.
What happens in Design and Technology at Key Stage 4?
GCSE Resistant Materials Technology (RMT) is a challenging and rewarding course
where students experience a wide range of learning activities through the designing
and making a product of their own design. In addition to applying the existing
workshop skills learned in KS3, students will apply a range of more advanced
industrial processes to shape and form materials into a functioning design prototype
that will be tested against their own design specifications.
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Drama
What is Drama? Why is it important?
Drama is an art form, a practical activity and an intellectual discipline. Through
engagement in drama, students apply their imaginations and draw upon their own
personal experiences. Their increasing knowledge and understanding of how the
elements of drama work enables them to effectively shape, express and share their
ideas, feelings and responses, making use of language, space, symbol, allegory and
metaphor.
What skills do we teach?
Three crucial elements explored in drama are responding, making and evaluating work.
In this style of working students also enhance their skills in language development. Its
collaborative nature provides opportunities for students to develop key skills of
communication, negotiation, compromise and self-assertion.
What sort of topics will we cover?
Students explore text-based schemes of work such as Shakespeare plays, The Diary of
Anne Frank, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and Dr Faustus. Students explore world
theatre through Chinese Opera, Thai Theatre and Jacobean Theatre. A variety of theatre
companies are studied, such as DV8 and Complicite. Students are introduced to theatre
practitioners such as Bertolt Brecht. Important themes and issues are explored,
including family values, oppression, religion and war.
What happens in Drama at Key Stage 4?
Drama is an optional subject at Key Stage 4. Students are assessed on the areas of
Responding, Developing, Evaluating and Performing. Students are examined through
three practical workshop examinations.
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English
What is English? Why is it important?
English includes the study of Language and Literature. English is vital for
communicating with others in school and in the wider world, and is fundamental to
learning in all curriculum subjects. Students learn to express themselves creatively and
imaginatively and to communicate with others confidently and effectively. Literature in
English is rich and influential. It reflects the experiences of people from many countries
and times and contributes to our sense of cultural identity.
What skills do we teach?
In studying English, students develop the skills in speaking, listening, reading and
writing that they will need to participate in society and employment. Students learn to
become enthusiastic and critical readers of literature.
What topics will we cover?
Students follow a carousel of genres, including stories, poetry, drama, non-fiction and
media texts, gaining access to the pleasure and world of knowledge that reading offers.
Looking at the patterns, structures, origins and conventions of English helps students
understand how language works. Using this understanding, students can choose and
adapt what they say and write in different situations, as well as appreciate and interpret
the choices made by other writers and speakers.
What happens in English at Key Stage 4?
English is a central and compulsory part of the Key Stage 4 Curriculum. Most students
study both English Language and English Literature at IGCSE.
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Humanities
What is Humanities? Why is it important?
Humanities is the study of human societies, including their histories, cultures and
economies. It also examines the relationship of humans and their environment. The
course is designed to give students a foundation of knowledge and skills to help them
understand the forces shaping the world today. With growing interest in issues such as
climate change, migration, international relations, environmental degradation and
social cohesion, Humanities is a highly relevant course. Whatever their passion for the
world – fascination with landscapes or concerns about inequality – Humanities
provides the knowledge and transferable skills that can reward students personally,
and ultimately, professionally.
What skills do we teach?
The course teaches a range of data interpretation and presentation skills, including map
reading, data collection and fieldwork methods, research, analysis, effective essay
writing and the evaluation of sources of information. Students learn to appreciate
differing perspectives and to nurture a concern for our world.
What topics will we cover?
In Year 7 the topics are:
• Weapons Through Time
• The Mongol Empire
• Rivers
In Year 8 the topics are:
• Natural Hazards
• Injustice
• Belief
In Year 9, Humanities splits into History and Geography. In History we study Medicine
and Health Through Time and the Industrial Revolution. In Geography we study
Urbanisation, Weather and Climate, and Resource Issues in the 21st Century.
What happens in Humanities at Key Stage 4?
In Key Stage 4, Humanities continues to be taught in the separate subjects of History,
Geography, Religious Studies and Economics. Students study at least one of these
subjects at IGCSE level.
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Computer Science
What is Computer Science? Why is it important?
Teaching Computer Science is important for two core reasons. Firstly, digital literacy is
of growing importance within society. Secondly, it promotes intellectual development
and the development of problem solving skills in a way that applies to many other
subjects and other areas of life. Computer science is intensely creative; it empowers
students to bring new things into being, and to move from being consumers of
technology to producers and shapers of technology.
As part of this students will still be exposed to more traditional ICT elements such as
the mastery of technical skills and techniques, but also the purposeful, safe and
responsible application of these skills in learning, everyday life and employment. As the
use of technology has increased in all aspects of society, proficiency in ICT is
fundamental to participation and engagement in modern society.
What skills do we teach?
Computer Science fundamentally consists of concepts, ideas, principles and techniques
such as algorithms, data structures, and abstraction. Amongst other things, Computer
Science embodies logic, rigour, and problem solving, often termed Computational
Thinking.
Students will explore ways that ICT can be used to communicate, collaborate and share
ideas on a global scale, allowing people to work together in new ways and change the
way in which knowledge is created. They will use ICT to model different scenarios,
allowing people to identify patterns and test hypotheses. Students will examine the
impact of technology, exploring how ICT changes the way we live our lives and has
significant social, ethical and cultural implications. They will recognise issues of risk,
safety and responsibility surrounding the use of ICT.
What topics will we cover?
• Using data and information sources
• Modelling and presenting numeric data
• Data handling
• Algorithm design
• Learning the basics of several programming languages
• Robotics
• Basic electronics
• File management and maintenance
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•
•
•
Animation
Publishing on the web: Web Design and Blogs
Information reliability
What happens in Computing at Key Stage 4?
Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science is an optional subject at Key Stage 4. The syllabus
aims to encourage candidates to develop computational thinking, that is thinking about
what can be computed and how, and includes consideration of the data required.
Learning computational thinking involves learning to program, that is to write
computer code, as this is the means by which computational thinking is expressed.
The Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science syllabus aims to enable students to:
• Develop computational thinking
• Develop an understanding of the main principles of solving problems by using
computers
• Develop understanding that every computer system is made up of subsystems, which in turn consist of further sub-systems
• Develop an understanding of the component parts of computer systems and
how they interrelate, including software, data, hardware, communications and
people
• Acquire the skills necessary to apply this understanding to develop computerbased solutions to problems using a high-level programming language.
Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science is an ideal foundation for further study at IB
Level, and the skills learnt can be used in other areas of study and in everyday life.
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Mathematics
What is Mathematics? Why is it important?
Mathematical thinking is important for all members of a modern society as a habit of
mind for use in the workplace, business, finance and personal decision-making.
Mathematics equips students with uniquely powerful ways to describe, analyse and
change the world. It can stimulate moments of pleasure and wonder for all students
when they solve a problem for the first time, discover a more elegant solution, or notice
hidden connections. Students who are functional in mathematics and financially
capable are able to think independently in applied and abstract ways, and can reason,
solve problems and assess risk. Mathematics is a creative discipline. The language of
mathematics is international. The subject transcends cultural boundaries and its
importance is universally recognised.
What skills do we teach?
The key concepts we teach are Competence, Creativity, Applications and implications
of Mathematics and Critical understanding. The key processes we teach are
Representing, Analysing, Interpreting and Evaluating, Communicating and Reflecting.
What topics will we cover?
All topics covered will be in one of the following strands: Number and Algebra,
Geometry and Measures, Statistics.
What happens in Mathematics at Key Stage 4?
All students will continue to study Mathematics at Key Stage 4. There are a range of
options available to support, challenge and extend all students.
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Music
What is Music? Why is it important?
Music fosters creativity and teamwork. We ask our students to think critically about
the quality of the musical sounds they encounter in class and in their personal lives.
This inspires students to be strong cultural arts patrons as they grow up. We provide
extensive performance opportunities for talented soloists and well-rehearsed class work
alike.
What skills do we teach?
We primarily focus on three areas within each unit: performing, composing, and
listening and appraising. Students create pieces of music based on skills learned during
a particular topic, rehearse with their group and perform for the class, while the student
audience members practise active and critical listening skills to provide positive and
constructive feedback.
What topics will we cover?
In Year 7 students are actively involved in creating their own curriculum with topics
such as Scary Music, Garage Band 101, Instruments of the Orchestra and The Blues.
With a wide range of instruments at their disposal, they work in groups to focus on
Rhythmic and Melodic Elements as well as creating music of their own, providing a
strong theoretical basis with which to progress to the higher levels. In Year 8, students
build upon previous knowledge by choosing units on Songwriting, Samba Drumming,
Opera, African Drumming (with a 1-to-1 supply of Djembe drums), or Chinese Music,
(with a 1-to-1 supply of Chinese Gu Zhengs). The Year 9 programme uses the topic
areas of the GCSE Music programme to help the students explore everything from
Western Classical to Popular and World Music. In performance, they are given the
chance to either develop their own instruments or learn to play guitar over the year. In
all of Key Stage 3, we allow students construct their own learning paths in an effort to
prepare them for GCSE Music and beyond.
What happens in Music at Key Stage 4?
Music is one of the optional subjects available at Key Stage 4. All Music students take
part in the dynamic extra-curricular programme, which is also available to non-Music
students.
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Physical Education
What is Physical Education? Why is it important?
PE helps students learn the value of leading a healthy and active lifestyle. It develops
students’ competence and confidence to take part in a range of physical activities that
become a central part of their lives, both in and out of school.
What skills do we teach?
Through safe physical exercise, students develop personally and socially, working as
individuals, in groups and in teams. They take on different roles and responsibilities
including leadership, coaching and officiating. Through the variety of activities that PE
offers, students learn how to be effective in competitive, creative and challenging
situations.
What topics will we cover?
Students cover a wide variety of sports. These include Football, Netball, Volleyball,
Field Hockey, Basketball, Badminton, Health Related Fitness, Athletics, Softball, Rugby
Union and Swimming.
Other topics include how to play fairly, the effects of exercise on the body, and the
benefit of a thorough warm up and cool down. Students are also given frequent
opportunities to develop their leadership skills, by leading a warm up for their peers
and through giving feedback on a selected skill.
What happens in Physical Education at Key Stage 4?
In Key Stage 4, students will have the opportunity to select GCSE Physical Education as
one of their options. The GCSE course incorporates the study of both theory and
practical elements of sport and performance. All other students will complete a
personal fitness programme and through practical activity will improve their
performance, leadership and officiating in a variety of different sports.
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Science
What is Science? Why is it important?
Science in KS3 includes the study of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Science stimulates
and excites students’ curiosity about phenomena and events in the world around them.
Students learn to express themselves through practical experience and develop and
evaluate explanations through experimental evidence and modeling. Through science,
students understand how major scientific ideas contribute to technological change –
impacting on industry, business and medicine and improving quality of life. Students
recognise the cultural significance of science and trace its worldwide development.
They learn to question and discuss science-based issues that may affect their own lives.
What skills do we teach?
In studying science, students develop skills in communicating, analysing, investigating,
modeling and teamwork so that they can participate fully in the classroom and later in
life. Students learn how to respond critically to science in the world around them.
What topics will we cover?
Students follow a course that covers many aspects of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
They build on their scientific knowledge and understanding and make connections
between different areas of science. They will use scientific ideas to explain phenomena
and look at the positive and negative effects of scientific developments. They will learn
to take account of others’ views and why opinions may differ. They will also carry out
quantitative work, carrying out their own investigations and evaluating their work.
Using this work they will be able to look at the strength of evidence they have collected
and learn how to communicate clearly what they have found out.
What happens in Year 9?
All students in Year 9 will begin their IGCSE in Science. They will continue to develop
their organisational, manipulative and interpersonal skills as well as learning the
required content in each discipline.
What happens in Science at Key Stage 4?
Science is a central and compulsory part of the Key Stage 4 Curriculum. All students
will study Biology, Chemistry and Physics. There are two options available to support,
challenge and extend all students with either Triple Award or Double Award.
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European Languages
What are European Languages? Why are they important?
Languages are part of the cultural richness of our society and the world in which we
live and work. Learning languages contributes to mutual understanding, a sense of
global citizenship and personal fulfilment. Students learn to appreciate different
countries, cultures, communities and people. By making comparisons, they gain insight
into their own culture and society. The ability to understand and communicate in
another language is a lifelong skill for education, employment and leisure.
What skills do we teach?
Students have a choice of French, German or Spanish. We teach students to develop
their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. They learn to express themselves
with increasing confidence, independence and creativity both orally and in writing. As
an international school with students coming from many different linguistic
backgrounds, we explore the similarities and differences between French, German or
Spanish, the students’ own home languages and English. In practical terms, we teach
students how to use dictionaries to support their own learning. We use a range of
online tools and ICT applications in our teaching.
What topics will we cover?
The French, German and Spanish courses teach vocabulary, grammar and language
learning skills via the following topics. In Year 7: greetings and personal introductions;
home and family; school life. Year 8: house and home; the city and local environment;
hobbies; and free time. Year 9: tourism and holidays; foods and traditional cuisines;
shopping and body; health and fitness.
What is the native German Language program?
In Years 7, 8 and 9, students who have German as a first language may opt for this
programme instead of Chinese. It is devised to follow a revised German curriculum
over 4 lessons a week. In addition, students will have the choice of studying French,
Spanish or Chinese for two lessons a week.
What happens in European Languages at Key Stage 4?
French, Spanish and German are Language options at Key Stage 4. Students become
increasingly independent in their language learning and are given frequent
opportunities for practising their exam skills, with an emphasis on speaking and
writing.
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English as an Additional Language
What is English as an Additional Language? Why is it important?
English as an Additional Language (EAL) refers to the use or study of English by
speakers of other languages. EAL covers both ESL (English as a second language), and
EFL (English as a foreign language).
Students who require additional English language support to access and engage with
the curriculum successfully are provided with EAL assistance. Our EAL specialists
work with teachers to plan and teach according to the assessed level of student need.
They also work with students, helping them to develop the necessary language skills to
interact socially and to perform to their academic capabilities.
English language development is reassessed on a regular basis and support is adjusted
or withdrawn according to the level of demonstrated proficiency. The duration and
intensity of EAL support is dependent on the needs of each individual student and
plays an important role in their academic and social inclusion.
What skills do we teach?
In studying English as an Additional Language, students develop skills in speaking,
listening and understanding, reading and writing that they will need to participate in
society and employment. Students learn to become enthusiastic and confident users of
English.
What topics will we cover?
Students follow a variety of modern-day topic based units. The topics covered include
Homes and Habits; Student Days; Out and About; This is Me; Fashion Matters; The
Virtual World; Going Places; and Our Four Legged Friends. The course integrates
language skills and exam taking strategies. All coursework is supplemented by
individualised learning tasks custom-tailored to meet student needs.
What happens in English as an Additional Language at Key Stage 4?
English as an Additional Language is part of the Key Stage 4 Curriculum and is offered
in place of another IGCSE Option.
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